Test device for measuring a container response

Abstract

A test device can acquire interior temperature, interior pressure, and interior volume data on a container exposed to conditions in a test throughout the test and can be used with a computer system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a test device for measuring the response of a container to imposed conditions, such as changes in temperature and pressure. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] In packaging processes, for example, food packaging processes, a container may be filled with a hot material, e.g., a hot beverage. The container is then sealed. When the beverage cools to room temperature, the internal pressure within the container decreases. If the container is not properly designed, the differential between the internal pressure within the container and the ambient pressure around the container can result in deformation of the container. In other processes, a material may be filled into a container and a differential between the internal pressure within the container and the ambient pressure around the container imposed before the container is sealed. Alternatively, air or a product, for example...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a test device that can accurately measure the conditions inside a container, such as temperature and pressure, and can display, process, and store data in electronic form. The test device includes a measurement tower, a displaced volume gauge, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor. It also includes a computer system that can receive and display the data collected from the test device. The test device can adjust simulation parameters, predict the response of the container to a test, and compare actual response data to predicted data. The invention also includes a circulation pump to promote a uniform temperature distribution in the measurement tower. The test device can provide actual response data and test condition data in electronic or visual form.

Problems solved by technology

If the container is not properly designed, the differential between the internal pressure within the container and the ambient pressure around the container can result in deformation of the container.

The continuous or intermittent low pressure inside the container resulting from these processes can result in deformation of the container.

To make a new prototype, a new mold must be designed and manufactured, which is time consuming and expensive.

Several prototypes may need to be made during the course of designing a new container, and the making of the prototypes can represent a large fraction of the cost of and delay the successful design of a new container.

The cost of the design of a new container is passed on to the customer, and thus may hamper a container manufacturer's competitiveness.

Furthermore, the ability of a manufacturer to respond quickly to a customer's needs may be impeded.

The ability to obtain accurate data on the dimensions of a container can be limited, for example, because the thickness of a container wall in regions of the container with tight curves or restrictions can be difficult to measure.

The mechanical properties of the material used can also be difficult to determine accurately and completely, especially by a container manufacturer who may not have the specialized measurement devices required.

Although this small amount of data can confirm or deny the accuracy of a computer simulation, the utility of the data in guiding a designer in modifying the design is limited.

For example, how the interior pressure in the container varied during the test remains unknown, impeding the ability of the designer to set up a realistic simulation.

The mechanical properties of materials used in containers often depend on temperature; therefore, the absence of data on the variation of temperature in the interior of a container further impedes the setting up of a realistic simulation.

Because only the change in interior volume of the container at the end of the test is known, and not throughout the test, the designer's ability to evaluate the simulation is impeded.

In addition to hampering the evaluation of a simulation, the limited nature of the data also constrains a designer's ability to identify failure modes of a container during a test and therefore constrains the designer's ability to envision a better design.

However, such manual adjustment of simulation parameters can require that a designer or a designer's colleague be skilled in the art of numerical simulation of physical processes; such skill in numerical simulation may not be present at a container manufacturer.

Furthermore, the large number of variables present in the test condition data or container parameter data can render a designer's task of determining which variables to correct and the degree of correction required difficult or impractical.

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